Mexicans’ worries about corruption have peaked under Claudia Sheinbaum’s presidency, recent surveys indicate, and growing scandals involving senior officials, including allegations from the United States against a state governor, have further heightened public unease.
Corruption Rises as a National Concern
A May survey by LatAm Pulse for Bloomberg News showed that 62% of participants viewed corruption as Mexico’s most urgent challenge, a rise of three points since April and sixteen since February, with the surge in concern linked to a series of prominent scandals, such as a fuel smuggling scheme involving Navy officers, customs personnel, and corporate executives, along with a separate case centered on Sinaloa’s Governor Rubén Rocha Moya, who is facing U.S. charges of collaborating with drug cartels.
Despite these scandals, Sheinbaum’s approval rating showed signs of recovery, rising to 53% in May from a previous low. Her disapproval rating dropped 5 points to 38%. Political analysts attribute her rebound to perceptions that she is not directly implicated in these cases, despite them occurring under her administration.
Mounting pressure surrounding Morena and Sheinbaum’s leadership
Although Morena, Sheinbaum’s political party, continues to be viewed by many as the main force confronting corruption, 54% of Mexicans contend that the party grapples with its own ethical issues; this view has heightened the spotlight on Sheinbaum, especially since one of the implicated officials, Rocha Moya, belongs to Morena, and as the U.S. presses for stricter anti-cartel measures, Sheinbaum must navigate both international pressure and domestic criticism to preserve her party’s credibility.
Public Opinions on Security and U.S. Involvement
The survey further reveals ambivalent views regarding American involvement in Mexico’s efforts against organized crime, noting that although 69% of Mexicans favor U.S. collaboration restricted to intelligence sharing, public opinion splits over more direct engagement, with 47% supporting the presence of U.S. personnel in security operations and 48% rejecting such participation.
Sheinbaum’s handling of U.S.-Mexico security relations received moderate approval, with 46% describing her performance as good, compared to 32% who rated it poorly. Recent reports of alleged covert CIA operations to dismantle cartels have fueled debates about sovereignty and the extent of U.S. involvement.
Concluding Reflections
As corruption concerns and security fears dominate national debate, Claudia Sheinbaum faces mounting challenges in balancing international pressures, internal reform expectations, and her administration’s public standing, with the coming months set to test her ability to deliver effective responses and sustain public trust while these issues remain intensely examined.
Source: Content supplied by Bloomberg Línea – https://www.bloomberglinea.com/latinoamerica/mexico/preocupaciones-por-corrupcion-en-mexico-se-disparan-con-sheinbaum/
